Perspectives by Women in Securities Finance

Relationship Building for Lasting Success

Erika Fleming and Anita Hill Sands host a discussion with Amanda Pullinger, CEO of Debbie's Dream Foundation, about how meaningful relationship building drives professional success. Pullinger highlights the importance of cultivating strategic networks over time, approaching interactions with curiosity, and viewing networking as a reciprocal, long‑term practice rather than a transactional event. The discussion also underscores the value of LinkedIn for visibility and brand building through thoughtful content and recognition of others, while encouraging women to engage in broader industry networks, participate in panels, reconnect with past colleagues, and show up authentically.

Enhancing Workplace Dynamics - Understanding Personality Colors for Effective Leadership

Elaina Kim Benfield (Vanguard) and Andy Vitrano (RW Baird) discuss a color‑based personality framework that highlights how different thinking and perception styles influence communication and leadership. They outline key traits across the major color groups and show how recognizing these differences helps teams tailor messaging, meetings, feedback, and decision‑making to improve collaboration and performance.

Navigating a Career Move with Clarity, Confidence, and Intention

Join Meredith Roderick and Erika Fleming from Women in Securities Finance as they host a discussion led by Brooke Gillman with career coach Megan Key, Director of Career Consulting and Leadership Development. Brooke and Megan discuss how to navigate career changes effectively, including practical advice on networking, building a personal brand, and maintaining confidence, intention, and clarity. Megan shares her expertise on when to consider a career pivot, the importance of continually evaluating your career landscape, and tactical steps for those out of work or seeking new opportunities.

Creating Success Through Trust and Connectedness

Elaina Kim Benfield, Assistant General Counsel at Vanguard, sits down with Andy Vitrano, Senior Vice President Manager of Coaching and Special Programs at Baird, to explore the power of being connected to others and having a shared purpose in driving success. They discuss how organizations thrive when colleagues support one another, hold each other accountable, acknowledge “invisible excellence,” embrace vulnerability and focus on pathways to change.

Be An Active Participant in Your Wealth Planning

Elaina Kim Benfield is joined by Lora Robertson, a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill, to delve into the multifaceted world of wealth planning. Lora shares invaluable insights on the significance of understanding your assets and investments, paying yourself first, saving early and often, strategic retirement planning, and preparing for life's unexpected events. If you'd like to connect with Lora or Elaina, you can find their LinkedIn profiles below: Lora Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-robertson-89485aba/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-robertson-89485aba/] Elaina Kim Benfield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekbenfield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekbenfield/]